Recently, I saw a social media post about performing self-written plays for parents as a child, and joking about how terrible they were. At that moment, I realized that I have never had a unique experience. As a child, my cousins and I would write stage plays and perform them for our parents. It was more than that. We designed clothing, we wrote songs, we dreamed about our future. The children around me lived to create things.

Then, we grew up. As we grow up, all of us are told that art is a fun hobby, but it won’t pay the bills. Many of us will give up there. Some of us will try, and continuously fail, to prove everyone wrong. A select few of us will be successful in pursuing art as a career. Survival supersedes the desire to create, but it is always there, no matter which path we choose.

I have always believed that creation is the greatest desire of humans. After all, it’s said that we are created in God’s image, and God is the ultimate creator. Everything we know now began with God’s desire to create. Just look around at all the beautiful and wondrous things He has created! The mountains, the seas, the skyline at dawn and sunset. Everything around us was made beautiful. And so, I have always believed that this is our main purpose in life. This is why we hold art so dear.

Oscar Wilde once wrote, “Life imitates art far more than art imitates life.” I disagree. Without art, there would be no life. Without the desire to create, we would simply life as the animals do, never thinking about yesterday or tomorrow, striving only to sustain life. Whether it’s literature, visual arts, or performing arts, artists draw inspiration from their surroundings and personal experiences. They capture the essence of humanity, the beauty of nature, and the complexity of emotions in their works.

Life does often imitate art. Cultural trends, innovations, and even societal values can be influenced by creative works. Think of how movies, books, and music shape our perceptions and behaviors. Art has the power to inspire change and spark new ideas.

However, the inherent drive to create is what gives life meaning and purpose. Artistic expression is a universal language that connects people across cultures and generations. It allows us to communicate our innermost thoughts and feelings, to share our stories, and to make sense of the world around us.

Because life and art are so deeply intertwined, it’s important to incorporate creativity into our everyday lives. Simple acts of creation, whether it’s cooking a meal, gardening, or doodling in a notebook, can bring joy and fulfillment. By embracing our creative spirit, we enrich our lives and the world around us. We honor our purpose and connect with the essence of what it means to be human. In 2025, let’s embrace and nurture the creative spirit of the children that we once were.